Gateway Playhouse Announces 2008 Season

Gateway Playhouse (215 South Country Rd, Bellport, NY 11713), Long Island's premiere professional Equity musical theatre, announces its 59th season = a "block-buster" season with something for everyone!  For the first time, Gateway is offering its largest discount (33%) off the price of a season subscription.  At a time when prices for are going up, Gateway is offering tickets to their professional season (6 musicals) for the price of one trip to a Broadway show.

2008 marks Gateway's 59th year of producing first class entertainment. The state-of-the-art facility surrounded by a beautifully landscaped rustic exterior creates a unique theater going experience. Three generations of a single family have fashioned what was once a farm into one of the top ten summer theaters in the nation.  Gateway Playhouse is located about sixty miles east of New York City on the south shore of Long Island on the eastern edge of Bellport on about seven acres of wooded, grassy land. The grounds encompass the Mainstage theatre (seats 500), Barn theatre (for acting school classes and projects), scene shop, two rehearsal studios, three dorm-style housing units, a newly remodeled kitchen, costume shop, design office/studio, paint shop, box office, business office, various storage spaces, a recreation room and a large hedge-lined lawn with outdoor swimming pool (holding the distinction of being the first in-ground swimming pool on Long Island).  All of the actors are professionals, most are members of Actors Equity and the musicians (8-12 per show) are members of AF of M (Local 802). SSDC© directors (Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers) and USA© designers (United Scenic Artists) are employed.  Rooted in the theater's early years of prominence in training young actors, Gateway's Acting School is now in it's 13th year of providing professional training.  Their set rental business has grown to over 40 full sets to lease.

The season opens with the six times Tony Award winner, "The Will Rogers Follies" – a dazzling spectacle about America's first international multi-media sensation whose wit and home-spun wisdom still rings true today.  Performances are May 21 – June 14 at the Gateway Playhouse, 215 South Country Road, in Bellport.

"Forbidden Broadway", the hilarious parody spoof in its encore Long Island professional production, runs from June 18 – July 6.  This show is a unique specialized version created and directed by the original director, Phillip George. All in one hilarious time, you can see Ethel Merman, Julie Andrews, Jean Valjean, The Phantom of the Opera, e Orphan Annie, Man of La Mancha and the Wicked Witch all in the same show! 
The premiere Long Island professional engagement of  "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" opens at the Patchogue Theatre, 71 E. Main Street, Patchogue, on July 9th through the 26th.  This magical show takes us back to "a time long ago in a far away land" with a tale "as old as time!"  This live production features the beloved characters of the animated film with the beautiful Academy Award winning score of Alan Menken and Tim Rice.  Join Belle, Mrs. Potts, Lumiere and the Beast for an unforgettable journey, where everyone lives happily ever after.  Beauty and the Beast is a family favorite, with Family Friendly pricing Friday Evenings and special early performances are scheduled.

Back in Bellport from July 30- August 23, is the memorable Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein musical, "Show Boat", which includes such famous classic songs as "Ol' Man River", "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man of Mine", and "Make Believe."  Show Boat's unforgettable story spans over 40 years in the lives of three generations of show folk and their floating theatre on the Mississippi, the Cotton Blossom.  This is a rare opportunity to experience one of the masterpieces of the American Musical Theatre.

The runaway Broadway hit and the musical with the most ever Tony Awards,  "The Producers", based on the hilarious Mel Brooks film bursts into the Patchogue Theatre on August 27 and runs through September 13th.   As Long Island's premiere professional presentation, this comic whirlwind of a musical provides a rare adventure into the backstage shenanigans of the Broadway theatre world.  Max Bialystock, Leo Bloom and a cast of crazy theatre-types create a laugh-a-minute riot filled with the shtick of the award-winning Mel Brooks!

The regular season closes at Bellport with Long Island's Debut presentation of "The Wedding Singer"" a musical based on the hit film that starred Adam Sandler.  Robbie Hart is New Jersey's favorite wedding singer.  With an original new score that pays loving homage to the pop songs of the 1980's, The Wedding Singer takes us back to a time when hair was big, collars were up, and a wedding singer just might be the coolest guy in the room.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now and range from $39-$43 for adults, and $25 for children 12 and under and can be purchased by calling 1-888-4-TIX-NOW, on the web at www.gatewayplayhouse.com, or in person at the historic theatre in Bellport.

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